Melly1022

I would like some encouragement, please. I KNOW there are people out there who have to work 40 hours a week, yet still are able to get their nursing degree. However, I have gone to couselors at 2 different community colleges here in Tampa Florida and they have both discouraged me from entering the nursing program because I work full time. I don't get it. If there is such a shortage, and employers see an advantage to hiring middle aged people to work for them, why aren't there more programs that will work with a person who is exploring nursing as a second career? Can anyone give me some encouragement so I don't give up and go away? I'm convinced that would be a big mistake. Thanks!

Oh no. LOL.....I am left handed too. I was just curious to see how many left handed people were in the nursing profession.

Just out of curiosity, how many of you nurses out there are left handed?

I'm glad I came across this thread. I've been wondering what to do when I grow up too....( and I'm 38). :-) I've always wanted to go into a people helping field. Nursing has crossed my mind on many occasions, but I've always been afraid to persue it. I've often heard that nursing is a VERY stressful field and that the stress is the major reason for the "nursing shortage". There aren't a shortage of people with nursing degrees.....they simply choose to get out of nursing because of the stress. I don't know how true that is, but the thought scares me. While I want to help people, I don't want to be so stressed out by working conditions (ie. overwork, hospital politics, etc.) that I can't stand what I'm doing. I also have a terrible fear of making a mistake and costing someone their life. I don't know if I could live with myself if i killed someone...even if it was an accident. The job security and the money are very attractive to me. Especially since I am currently VERY broke. :-) The opportunity to help people is very attractive to me. The negatives scare me. I think I'm struggling with fear paralyzing me ( as mentioned in one of the other replys to this post). Any suggestions?

Thanks Larry! I needed the encouragement. :-) I've encountered so much unhappiness and disillusionment amongst some of the nurses on the board that I was beginning to have doubts about going into nursing. It was quite unsettling since helping people in need is what I've always wanted to do.

Hello all. I am a 38 year old who has been a stay at home mom most of my adult life. My kids are now older and I am considering a career outside the home for the first time. I've always been interested in nursing because I've always had a great deal of compassion for people in need. My question: How many of you out there started your nursing career "later" in life..that is, you didn't go straight from high school to nursing school to working as an RN by the time you were 22. I'd like to hear some encouraging stories for us "oldies" out there. :-) Thanks. Melody

Hello all. Question for you, please. I am considering the possibility of going into Hospice Nursing once I graduate from Nursing school. Most of the posts I have read regarding Hospice have been from nurses that already have some hospital experience before going into Hospice Care. Can I get a job as an RN in Hospice right out of school or do I have to have some experience as an RN first? Thanks for your replies. Melody

Hello all. Newbie here. :-) I've got a question for those of you who have been in the profession for a while. Question: If nursing is such a good profession to be in, why is there a shortage?

Hi there! I have always enjoyed the personality tests. I study them quite frequently. I have always tested ENFJ.